Ukrainian security forces threaten and beat priests in Donbass, – UOC MP
Kyiv, August 01 (Navigator, Victoria Litovchenko) – Locum Tenens of the Kyiv Metropolitan See of the UOC-MP Onufriy appealed to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko due to the fact that “the rights and freedoms of believers are being violated” in Donbass.
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In an appeal posted on the official website of the UOC-MP, it is reported that on July 13 in Krasnoarmeisk, “unknown armed persons in khaki uniforms entered the St. Michael’s Church during the liturgy and by their actions interfered with the conduct of the service.”
After this, the rector of the temple, Archpriest Alexander Kondratyuk, the head of the SBU, “told him that the commander of the information department of the ATO battalion “Donbass” Pavel Kishkar approached him and said that he intended ... to have a conversation with the rector of the temple ... or even kidnap him,” the message says. UOC MP.
“Pavel Kishkar arrived at the meeting with unknown armed persons, among whom one was wearing a mask. The priest was asked questions regarding the internal activities of the parish, namely: how church funds are distributed, why there is security on the territory of the temple, and many other questions. In addition, groundless accusations were made against the Church and the clergy,” says Metropolitan Onuphry’s address.
In addition, it is reported that pressure was exerted on Archpriest Igor Sergienko, rector of the St. Alexander Nevsky Church in the village of Krasnoarmeyskoye, Novoazovsky district. Armed people who arrived in a car with the sign “Dnepr” asked “how much money he was sending to Moscow and accusations of aiding bandits,” conducted a search and demanded that all church property be handed over.
According to information posted on the website of the UOC-MP, a similar incident occurred at a checkpoint located at the intersection of Amvrosievka-Blagodatnoye-Rodniki, Amvrosievsky district, Donetsk region. The priest's car and money were taken away. He was beaten, threatened with shooting, and accused of financing the DPR, as well as being a spotter for military operations.
“Today, according to the priest, there is a real threat of reprisals against him and his family,” the appeal says.
“I am forced to note a violation of the rights and freedoms of believers and interference in the activities of the parishes of the Donetsk diocese of the UOC by the military contingent located in eastern Ukraine,” the metropolitan said, asking Poroshenko for personal intervention “so that such actions on the part of the security forces will not be repeated.”
English version :: Read in English Ukrainian security forces threaten and beat priests in Donbass, – UOC MP